Work Continues on "Strindberg's Assistant"

Micheal Holly was visiting from Brazil this past week, so we took advantage of the opportunity to hash out some of the story issues we've been having on the Strindberg's Assistant project. It was a very productive couple of work sessions.

JG Accepted Into Boston Independent Film Fest

Just God--the collaborative film project that we worked on with Windmiller Media and Exchange Productions--was recently accepted as a finalist into the Boston Independent Film Festival. Screenings begin July 15, 2015.

"Just God" Film on DVD

Just God--the collaboration with Windmiller Media and Exchange Productions--has finally reached fruition with the movie being issued on DVD. There were a few versions of the film to choose from, one shorter and tighter, another longer, and even a Director's Cut. Robert never really felt the film was quite done, too many places on the time line that could have been condensed or eliminated, plus the soundtrack and other areas also needed more finishing work. But a film is never done, right? In the end, the decision of which version to release belonged to the director and executive producer, Nicholas Wootton. Thus, it's the Director's Cut that you'll see on the disc. He also included over an hour of extras and interesting behind-the-scenes bonus features.

"Just God" Screens in Green Bay

Just God screened at the Green Bay Film Festival on Saturday. Good people. Fun times.

A few of the Just God crew (L-R): Writer/Director Nicholas Wootton; Executive Producer Jill Wootton; Associate Producer Kelly Lajter; Pick-up shots photographer Jeff Blankenship; Production Manager Robert Lughai.

Photo by Colin Cameron.

Exchange In Training

Friend and fellow filmmaker, Michael Holly of Exchange Productions, has created a new blog site called, Exchange in Training. He's doing the legwork of finding some of the best tutorials online, so we don't have to. Check it out.

"Just God" Accepted into Green Bay Film Fest!

We just learned that Just God has just been accepted into the 2015 Green Bay Film Festival! March 6-8 at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Edit Progresses on "Strindberg"

During the hiatus caused by the fire in our complex, we've had to temporarily set up an editing computer at the home of our good friends, Nicholas & Jill Wootton of Windmiller Media. As it just so happens, Michael Haven-Holly of Exchange Productions is currently back from Brazil for a month and staying with the Woottons.

Since we've been preoccupied with finding a new location to call home, there hasn't been a lot of time to focus on Tarazod projects. So Michael has volunteered to jump on the edit of our short film, Strindberg's Assistant. It's got a long way to go, but it is taking shape.

Final Pickup Shot for "Just God"

Doug Reed, the star of Just God, was in Madison this weekend. So Nicholas and Robert took advantage of the opportunity to get in one last pickup shot with him. The edit of the film is inching closer to completion, but it's still missing some crucial information in the beginning sequence. We hope we got it today.

Another Public Screening of "Beast Bike Beauty"

Tonight's meeting in Madison of the Wisconsin Screenwriters Forum featured a special screening of films produced by its members. Our Beast Bike Beauty short was among the selections to be shown.

In addition, Nicholas Wootton brought along the latest version of Just God for another test screening. It still needs work, which we already knew, but we're getting closer.

Fine-Tune Edit on "Just God" Movie Continues

Nicholas and Robert spent the day going over the edit of Just God. Nicholas trimmed about 3 minutes off the total running time, and it's now around 17 minutes in length. Much tighter than we had and with a better flow, yet more work is needed as we push forward towards a picture lock.

Actors Doug Reed and Craig Johnson.

"Beast Bike Beauty" part of July 27th Film Screening

Beast Bike Beauty, our collaborative short with Exchange Productions, will be part of a film screening at the High Noon Saloon in Madison on Sunday, July 27th, 7:00 pm. Our showing is just a small part of the event which is being organized by Ben Wydeven of Makeshift Media Group.

The other movies include:

• Makeshift Media Group's A Hot Summer Chill
• JC Films' Hostile Possession
• Living Storm's Killboy and Krash
• Project Famous' Burn the Money

More details at the facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/829625267056133

Test Screening of "Just God"

Against Robert's better judgement, we had the first test screening of Just God yesterday afternoon at the High Noon Saloon in Madison. In recent weeks, we've made some major editorial decisions and have trimmed a number of minutes off the total running time. Tighter is better and the film benefits from it. Yet, the movie is still a work-in-progress and not ready to be shown to the public. The rewards of having a test audience are somewhat wasted on the fact that the film is not in a finished form. Writer, Director, and Executive Producer Nicholas Wootton feels differently, though, and it's his decision to make.

Nicholas and Robert on stage during the Q&A along with host Francisco Torres. The humorous choke hold is done in fun but does represent some of the on-going creative differences we've had on this project.

Photos by Kelly Lajter & Zaher Karp.

Test Screening of "Just God" Coming Up

The Just God film is still in an unfinished form, but there's a test screening this Sunday, July 6th, 3:00 pm High Noon Saloon in Madison.

Enhanced graphics by Michael Haven.

Edit on Just God Movie Continues

Inching forward today on the Just God edit. We each contributed to the fine-tuning of Nicholas' initial rough cut. Settled on the placement for most of the sequences. Plenty more to do still--including green screen keying, special effects, sound deign and color grading--yet the movie itself is now taking shape.

Robert, Michael and Nicholas...

Photo by Jill Wootton.

'Just God' Main Pick-up Shots Completed

This past Saturday, we finally wrapped on Nicholas Wootton's Windmiller Media comedy, Just God. Filmed several montage sequences in the morning with actor Doug Reed (Father Stevens), then outside "God's Office" in the afternoon with Craig Johnson (Security Guard).

Actor Veronica Harper dead on the steps from a fall several stories up.

Back at director Nicholas Wootton's home, the simulated fall from the building was set on green screen. Veronica balances on a bucket while a fan blows her hair and fishing wire attached to her jacket is gently moved back and forth. Nicholas along with cinematographer Michael Haven are perched above on the rooftop.

Beast Bike Beauty now online

Lost in the darkness of his own depression, our protagonist hits the road on his motorcycle, only to discover more than expected at journey's end.

Now online, our 2012 narrative short, Beast Bike Beauty, is a collaboration between Tarazod Films and Exchange Productions. Directed by Robert Lughai. Starring Michael Haven with Tashai Lovington. Music by Brandon Beebe.

Official selection of the 2013 Wildwood Film Festival.

Posted on Tarazod Films Youtube Channel.

Behind the Scenes on Just God

A short behind-the-scenes clip of Nicholas Wootton's comedy, Just God. Actor Liz Angle as “Freida”. Shot January 27th, 2013 at the Mendota Lake House B&B, Madison, WI.

Editing commences on the bulk of this film in the next few weeks, though the remaining final pick-up scenes won't be shot until this coming summer.

BBB Premiere at 2013 Wildwood Film Fest

Our new short narrative/comedy Beast.Bike.Beauty. premiered Saturday afternoon at the Wildwood Film Festival in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Michael and Robert had a good time with the audience Q+A after the screening.

Robert...

Michael...

After the fest, we had dinner and drinks with several of our filmmaker friends to discuss the movies we saw and to hear their honest feedback about Beast.Bike.Beauty. Left to right: Michael Haven, Petrina Giese, Nicholas Wootton, Colin Cameron...

There was no shortage of spirits at the home bar where we all gathered.

Photos by Colin Cameron.

This was only the second time BBB has screened publicly. (The first was a test showing at the Froth House in Madison back in December 2012.) Sitting amongst a large audience is so damn helpful in learning if your edits actually work. The vibe of the crowd is palpable with the ebb and flow of the story.

At the December showing, we failed to elicit the big laugh we wanted at the film's climax. So we made the necessary adjustments and this time it worked. The crowd got it!

Now after today's Wildwood premiere, our group seemed to all agree on a few final edits that would help BBB hit it's stride. Michael and Robert will tweak it one last time before calling it finished.

Beast Bike Beauty accepted into Wildwood Film Fest

Our new narrative short, Beast Bike Beauty, has just been accepted into the 2013 Wildwood Film Festival.

WHEN: Saturday, March 16, 2013

WHERE: Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
               Kimberly Clark Theater
               Appleton, Wisconsin

SCREENING TIME: 3:00 pm block

Both film producers, Robert Lughai & Michael Haven will be on hand to do a Q&A after the screening.

Test Screening Beast.Bike.Beauty.

Tonight we had the first test-screening of our newest short, Beast Bike Beauty. Part of the Froth House Flicks, it was a local filmmaker showcase held in Madison at, of course, the Froth House.

Good response and feedback. Now we just want to tweak a couple edits but liked what we saw.











Mike and Robert join a few of the other filmmakers at the end of the screening to do some Q&A.

After the showing, the filmmakers and guests mingled. From L-R, Robert, Janet Kjelland (worked on the Mad City Chickens crew), Colin Cameron (acted in Mad City Chickens, acted & co-produced for Strindberg's Assistant), Veronica Harper (acting in our upcoming Just God), Michael Haven (co-produced and starred in Beast Bike Beauty).

Photos courtesy of Veronica Harper.